A Surprising Twist for ‘Law & Order’

This just in: Brooks Barnes reports that NBC Universal plans to to renew all three “Law & Order” series — the original L&O, plus Criminal Intent and Special Victims Unit. In a major shift, originals of “Law & Order: Criminal Intent” will air on cable network USA, with the repeats on NBC. Law & Order fans had been bracing for a possible paring of the Law & Order franschise as creator Dick Wolf negotiated with NBC. Read the full article.

Wolf

Mr. Wolf said in a statement released by NBC, “This is a win-win for everybody. With all three Law & Orders on the air, formats of ‘SVU’ and ‘CI’ on in Russia and France, and discussions ongoing in other territories, this new deal encourages and enhances our mutual desire for our companies to become a major force in global television. This is the tip of the sphere of a new media paradigm.”

Back in a page one story in March, Brooks looked at the overseas expansion plans of Mr. Wolf in a feature on the French version of Law & Order: Criminal Intent. “Paris Enquêtes Criminelles,” as the French version will be called, highlights a major shake-up brewing in the TV industry’s $8 billion export business. In the French version, Mr. Wolf insisted on elaborate control, right down to the sound of the signature “ca-ching” heard on each episode.

Readers: Will the original “Law & Order,” now set for its 18th season, make it to 20 seasons?